Transportation Lessons Needed

We just returned to Boulder, Colo., from our home in Delray Beach. Our stay in Delray was an experiment to see if we would like living there on a more permanent basis.

We were appalled by the traffic congestion and rudeness of many drivers. I have never seen so many drivers ignore stop signs, run traffic lights and drive over the speed limit. I never saw one driver ticketed.

In Boulder, we give pedestrians the right of way. In Delray, I twice was about to step off the curb when a driver made a fast right turn on a red light even though I had a "walk" signal. Driving or walking, we learned to wait when the light turned green as a driver might run his now-red light.

Boulder has bike lanes along most major streets. Bike lanes reduce car traffic as an alternative means of transportation. Bikes don't pollute and don't need parking spaces. I saw far fewer bike riders in Delray than in Boulder, even though your weather is better.

I am sure you are all aware of your traffic problems. Stop and go traffic along State Road A1A due to beach traffic, tourists, residents, etc., is a major problem for everyone.

As more people pour into Delray Beach to enjoy its benefits, it is time to mitigate problems and better facilitate transportation issues. I, for one, do not like driving in Delray and prefer to walk or bike safely around town. I did not particularly feel safe doing so, and hope that the citizens and decision-makers will take a serious look at improving transportation in the area. Better enforcement of traffic offenses and bike lanes are two important steps in that direction.